Thursday, 12 August 2010

'And there will be no hooliganism, there will be no vandalism, there will be no bevvying because the world is watching us, and it is our responsibility to conduct ourselves with responsibility, and with dignity, and with maturity.'

Following the succesful UCS campaign Jimmy Reid was elected rector of the University of Glasgow, the fourth oldest Univesity in the UK and second oldest in Scotland. His address to the Court of the University became famous around the world, known as the 'rat-race' speech. It was reproduced in full in the New York Times which proclaimed it the finest speech by any public speaker since Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Many disagreed with Jimmy Reid's political philosophies (he shifted from Communist to Socialist and lattely Scottish Nationalist) but even his opponents recognised his intellectual might and common compasion for others.

Jimmy Reid's funeral was attended by two other prominent Govanites who started their working lives in the burgh's shipyards, Billy Connolly and Sir Alex Ferguson as well a former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. The following link is a brief new report of Jimmy Reid's funeral

Jimmy Reid sailed on Waverley many times especially since he retied to Rothesay and I know that he took great joy in watching her sail round the bay from the garden of his bungalow on the hill above the pier

The Society

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) is Britain's longest established, largest and most successful steamship preservation group.A registered charity founded in 1959, we have over 3000 members and through our associated charitable companies we operate the only two working paddle steamers in Great Britain.Without the PSPS there would no longer be the opportunity to sail on a Paddle Steamer in Great Britain.

Our aimsi) to preserve paddle steamers in sailing conditionii) to educate the public in the historic significance of paddle steamers in the Nation's maritime and industrial heritageiii) to acquire, preserve and exhibit a collection of equipment and material associated with paddle steamers.

Our Ships

Flagship of our fleet is Waverley the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1947 Waverley was gifted to the Society for just £1. As well as operating on her native Clyde each summer she visits other coastal areas around the UK during the spring and autumn each year.

Kingswear Castle is Britain's only operational coal-fired paddle steamer. Built in 1924 to sail on the River Dart she was purchased by the Society in 1967. From 1985 until 2012 she sailed the Thames and Medway. In 2013 Kingswear Castle returned to the Dart where she now operates public sailings during the summer season.

The society is composed of five branches: Scottish, London & Home Counties, Bristol Channel, Wessex & Dart and North England - all of which help raise money to keep our paddle steamers sailing.

The Scottish Branch

The Scottish Branch was formed in 1969 by Douglas McGowan, now our Honorary Branch President. In November 1973 Douglas was invited to attend a meeting with CalMac which resulted in Paddle Steamer Waverley being gifted to the PSPS for £1! It was then on 8th August 1974 that the PSPS took ownership of the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and her second career in preservation had begun. Since 1974 the Scottish Branch has been directly linked to supporting Waverley.

The Scottish Branch is proud of its achievements. We are an active and forward thinking branch with a thriving membership of over 800 - we are proud to be the branch which secured an operational future for Waverley. Our members are regularly involved with voluntary work which helps ensure Waverley continues to sail. During the summer sailing season we help raise funds through the Society's Grand Draw and our annual fundraising cruise on Waverley. The Branch meets in Glasgow each month during the non-sailing season (October - April) and we extend an invitation to join the Society and indeed join the Scottish Branch.